Are you planning a trip to Pune? Are you planning a holiday to one of the top tourist destinations in Maharashtra? This is the place to be! Pune is among India's top tourist cities with so much to offer all its visitors.
Pune, once the heart of the Maratha Empire and today a busy metropolis, is a must-visit tourist destination for all visitors.
The city is peppered with historical sites, monuments, palaces, temples, and museums. With vibrant cafes and restaurants gracing the city skyline, there is no shortage of places to visit in Pune to chill and have a good time. The peppy nightlife scattered across its nightclubs and lounges are a perfect way to escape the dull and mundane life and let your hair down to party.
Pune is well-known for its beautiful weather, entertainment, music, gardens, museums, religious and historical landmarks, literature, and much more. Do you want to experience all of Pune's best sights in just two days? Here is a packed schedule to assist you in planning your sightseeing vacation.
Pune, also known as Poona, is a city in Maharashtra founded in 1436. It is India's second-largest IT hub and one of its leading automobile and industrial centres.
It is also known as the 'Oxford of the East' because of its long history in education and diverse educational institutions. From 1714 until 1817, when the British seized it, the city rose to prominence as the capital of the Bhosle Marathas. The Mughals also momentarily occupied Marathas' territory. When you're on a two-day vacation to Pune, deciding what to see and skip might be difficult.
Pune Places to Visit in 2 days
Day 1 Pune Places to Visit
- Pataleshwar temple
- Shaniwar Wada Palace
- Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
- Parvati Hill
Day 2 Pune Places to Visit
- Sinhagad Fort
- Saras Baug
- Dagdusheth Halwai temple
- Aga Khan Palace
1. Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwar Wada is an ancient palace constructed by the courageous Peshwa Bajirao I in 1732 and reflects the Maratha heroism in its full glory. It has a history of almost 290 years and was the Peshwas' seat.
#Trivia: It stands witness to the romance between Peshwa Baji Rao 1 and Mastani Sahiba.
Shaniwar Wada is an example of Mughal and Maratha imperial architectural style. The ground level is built using stones, while the upper stories were built using bricks because of the directive from the Mughals ruling at the centre. The walls were covered in the artwork of Hindu epics. The top story of the structure served as the Peshwa's home, known as Meghadambari.
The location never ceases to impress visitors with its multiple forts and fountains, as well as the imposing figure of Baji Rao I that welcomes visitors at the palace's gate.
Although a mysterious fire destroyed much of the Wada in 1828, whatever remains is as exciting and spectacular.
A light and sound display have been installed at the Shaniwar Wada at Rs 1.25 crores to enlighten and teach the common people about the rich heritage of those times.
Entry timings for Shaniwar Wada are from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. daily. The entrance fee to the palace is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs.125 for foreigners. The Light and Sound Show charge is not included in this price.
2. Aga Khan Palace
The Aga Khan Palace is a historically significant structure in Pune. Sultan Mohammed Shah, Aga Khan III, established it in 1892 as a mercy for individuals who the city's famine had badly impacted. This palace is located in the peaceful Yerwada neighborhood, away from the busy city. It is predominantly Islamic, yet elements of Italian architecture exist throughout the palace.
The massive landmark is one of the top tourist spots of Pune and a brilliant jewel in Indian history. It was the same place where Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and others were imprisoned during the independence fight.
In 2003, the Archaeological Survey of India designated the palace as a landmark of national significance. The palace has Italian arches, a large garden, and five falls. The overall area of the palace, including the lawns and other grounds, comprises 19 acres.
The beautiful Aga Khan Palace visit takes around two hours to complete. If you are intrigued by Indian history, this is a must-visit place in Pune. Entry timings are from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm daily. The entrance fee to the palace is Rs.5 for Indians and Rs.100 for foreigners.
3. Sinhagad Fort
Sinhagad Fort, one of Pune's most prominent historical sites, was erected around 2000 years ago. Sinhagad fort is positioned on a cliff in the Sahyadri mountains' Bhuleswar range. It is a tribute to the courageous Tanaji and Rajaram l.
It was formerly known as the Kondana fort. When Tanaji was slain in the fight by Udai Bhan, Chhatrapati Shivaji voiced his regret by saying, "Gad aala, pan Sinha gela" – "The Fort is conquered, however, the Lion is lost." As a result, it was given the name Sinhagad. The fort has military barracks, a Kali temple, medieval gateways, and a Hanuman figure.
4. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is one of a kind. It is a museum that showcases the collectables of the late Dr D.G. Kelkar. Dr Kelkar, lovingly known as 'Kaka,' devoted his collections to the remembrance of his only son, 'Raja,' who died tragically young. It includes the Mastani Mahal, the residence of Mastani Bai, Bajirao Peshwa's wife.
The palace was built over 300 years ago and was discovered in ruins. The palace was later converted into a museum. The Mastani Mahal, which has been restored on the grounds of this museum, tells the love tale of Bajirao Peshwa I and his beloved Mastani.
The museum today houses nearly 20,000 artefacts. Kaka travelled around the country, gathering relics for over 60 years. The museum displays various creative materials discovered in various locations of India throughout the 1800s.
The collection comprises door frames, jars, paintings, handicrafts, and sculptures, among other things. Museum 2000 is an initiative that has begun to realize Dr Kelkar's aim of opening an educational and cultural museum to the public in order to give them the correct understanding of India's aesthetic assets. The museum is divided into 42 parts and is a must-see for every art enthusiast.
5. Dagdusheth Halwai Temple
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple is one of the most famous tourist spots in Pune. Hundreds of pilgrims and tourists visit the temple to seek the Lord's blessings every year. The Ganesh Festival, a ten-day-long festival, is held here with utmost reverie.
The temple's construction was completed in 1893. Lokmanya Tilak, the famous leader, was a contemporary and personal friend of Dagdusheth. He got the notion of celebrating the Ganesha festival at the temple, and it quickly became a historic event.
The temple is located on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rd, Budhwar Peth, in the heart of Pune. There is no entry fee to visit the temple.
#Trivia: If you cannot enter the temple due to heavy footfall, you can get a clear view of Lord Ganesh from the street through a huge glass wall. The view is spectacular.
6. Pataleshwar Cave Temple
The Pataleshwar Cave Temple is an old temple in Pune with a history dating back to the Rashtrakuta dynasty in the 8th century. It is an unusual single rock-carved cave temple. This temple is among the most popular tourist spots in Pune. It is a protected monument and one of the top places to visit in Pune.
The temple is sculpted from a single piece of rock and features sculptures of Ganesh, Sita, Ram, Lakshman, and Lakshmi, in addition to Lord Pataleshwar.
At the main temple, there is also a Shiva lingam. The Elephanta caves inspired the creation of this temple, but it was left unfinished. Therefore, there is no specific entry or exit to the temple. The temple remains open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
7. Parvati Hill
This gorgeous beautiful green hill is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pune. The area is great for trekking and is also known for its historic Parvati Temple, high in the mountains.
The temple, located roughly 2,100 feet above sea level, was erected during the Peshwas' reign and is one of the top tourist spots in Pune.
You can ascend the iconic 103 stone steps to Parvati hill that were originally used to assist the elephants in climbing the hill. It takes little more than 10 minutes for everyone to reach the top of the hill. At the peak, you can visit other temples such as Devdeveshwar temple, Kartikeya temple, and Vishnu temple.
Don't miss the Peshwa Museum, which has photographs and exhibits depicting the illustrious lives of Peshwa monarchs. The temple's gates open at 5.00 am and close at 8:00 pm.
8. Fashion Street
Fashion Street's congested tiny pathways are well-known for being one of the top spots in Pune to go shopping. It has over 450 booths that display a variety of low-cost apparel and accessories. If you love bargaining, Fashion street is the place to be.
9. Saras Baug
The iconic Saras Baug is located close to the Swargate, at the foothills of Parvati hill. It is spread over 25 acres and has a temple in the centre. It was originally a lake at the foothills of Parvati hill. Over time, the place has transformed into a huge garden ideal for family picnics and school outings.
The Ganesh temple in the centre of the garden is called Talyatla Ganapati (Lake's Ganapati).
The garden was built in the 20th century around the temple, which was built in the 18th century. It is one of the most iconic places to enjoy a lovely evening with your family and friends after an entire day's travel.
#Trivia: If you have the time, you can visit the beautiful Mahalaxmi Temple across Saras Baug.
Pune enjoys pleasant weather all year round. Except for March to May, when summer is at its peak, the remaining months are a wonderful time to visit Pune. You can enjoy the city's natural greenery and beauty and regale in the view of the gorgeous skyline that graces the city corners.
Pune is blessed with some gorgeous tourist spots reflecting its history, culture, and modernization. From the latest trampoline park to the uber-cool malls, iconic bridges such as the Bund Garden and Holkar bridge to the war cemeteries and trekking trails, Pune does not disappoint you in any way. Presenting a perfect blend of architecture and décor, you can spend a tranquil holiday in Pune with your loved ones all year round.
